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Compare any two UK universities

Select any two universities below and we'll generate an instant, data-driven comparison — rankings, salaries, student satisfaction, international community, and more.

U
University of Essex

Colchester · QS World #438

U
University of Nottingham

Nottingham · QS World #97

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 10 datapoints

We looked at 10 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

4/10

Essex

scored higher in 4 categories

VS

6/10

Nottingham

scored higher in 6 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Nottingham leads in 6 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, graduate salary). University of Essex is ahead on satisfaction, international, courses, scholarship.

University of Essex vs University of Nottingham at a glance

University of Essex and University of Nottingham both teach 63 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, History and Philosophy. University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas; University of Nottingham offers 580 courses across 98 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,500 a year at University of Essex and £33,000 at University of Nottingham: University of Essex is about £11,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,880 a year at University of Essex and £30,800 at University of Nottingham: University of Essex is about £6,920 a year cheaper.

Of the 23 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Nottingham is higher in 22 and University of Essex in 0, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Law: £24,000 three years after graduating from University of Essex, against £34,000 from University of Nottingham. Of the 26 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Nottingham is higher in 14 and University of Essex in 12.

World & National Rankings

Compare world and national league table positions, TEF ratings, and Russell Group membership.

#438
QS World
#97
#301
THE World
#145
#44
Guardian UK
#21
1964
Established
1881
No
Russell Group
Yes
Silver
TEF Rating
Silver

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.

University of Essex

University of Nottingham

87.2%
86.6%

Satisfaction

Student satisfaction with teaching (NSS Survey, out of 100%)

£31,800
£40,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.7%
79.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

33.7%
21.1%

International

International student share

748
580

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

30
5

Scholarships

Number of scholarships

International Community

Where do international students come from?

Top source countries based on official HESA enrolment data. A higher diversity of nationalities often means a richer campus experience.

Essex

97 countries · 33.7% international

  • 🇮🇳India21.2%
  • 🇨🇳China11.7%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan6.1%
  • 🇫🇷France5.7%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria4.4%
VS

Nottingham

98 countries · 21.1% international

  • 🇨🇳China42.6%
  • 🇮🇳India9%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia4.4%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4%
  • 🇹🇷Turkey2.7%

Subjects

63 subjects you can study at both

Courses listed at each university in the subject, and the typical (median) international fee a year. Select a count to see the courses.

University of Essex

University of Nottingham

Also taught at both: Business Studies, Accounting, Childhood & Youth Studies, Management, Business & Management (General), English Literature, Social Sciences (General), Biotechnology, Civil Engineering, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Media & Film Studies, Ecology & Conservation, English Language, Applied Psychology, Biomedical Sciences, Marketing, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Human Geography & Environment, Creative Writing, English Studies, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Building & Construction, Health & Social Care, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, American & Comparative Studies, Ancient Languages, Biochemistry, Biology, Classical Studies, Environmental Sciences, Genetics & Genomics, Liberal Arts, Social Policy & Public Policy, Welsh Studies, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Cultural Studies, Design & Fashion, Film Production & Cinematography, Mental Health Nursing, Biomedical Engineering, Statistics, Adult Nursing, Human Resource Management, Social Work, Clinical & Health Psychology, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Physical Geography & Climate, Technology & Logistics.

Only at University of Essex

Only at University of Nottingham

Fees

What it costs international students

The typical (median) international tuition fee a year across each university's published course fees. Individual courses vary; each course page shows its own fee.

Undergraduate

University of Essex
£21,500
University of Nottingham
£33,000

University of Essex is about £11,500 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Essex
£23,880
University of Nottingham
£30,800

University of Essex is about £6,920 a year cheaper.

Outcomes

Graduate outcomes by subject

Median graduate salary three years after graduating, and student satisfaction with teaching, across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject. Source: Discover Uni.

University of Essex

University of Nottingham

  • Politics & International Relations

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£29,500
    86%Satisfaction88%

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    93%Satisfaction89%

  • Philosophy

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    90%Satisfaction93%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£36,000
    81%Satisfaction79%

  • Economics

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£38,500
    84%Satisfaction83%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    No dataSalary (3 years)£35,500
    75%Satisfaction86%

  • History of Art & Design

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    88%Satisfaction94%

  • Law

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£34,000
    84%Satisfaction89%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
    88%Satisfaction90%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    77%Satisfaction79%

  • Mathematics

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    95%Satisfaction81%

  • Psychology (General)

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    84%Satisfaction83%

Showing the 12 largest of 27 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Essex

Access Essex Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Sustainable Transitions - Governance, Ecological Management and Society - Leverhulme Doctoral Training Programme

100%

Deadline: N/A

Sustainable Transitions - Governance, Ecological Management and Society - Leverhulme Doctoral Training Programme 2026-27 (Masters plus PhD)

100%

Deadline: N/A

The Essex MBA Dean's Award

100%

Deadline: N/A

Postgraduate Research EU Scholarship

£8,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

University of Nottingham

Taiwan Research Hub PhD Scholarship 2026/27

£11,000

Deadline: N/A

Molson Coors Award

50%

Deadline: N/A

The Witty Entrepreneurial Scholarship

£750

Deadline: N/A

Hillsborough Trust Memorial Bursary

£500

Deadline: N/A

PhD Scholarships

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Essex vs University of Nottingham: common questions

Is University of Essex or University of Nottingham cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,500 a year at University of Essex and £33,000 at University of Nottingham: University of Essex is about £11,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,880 a year at University of Essex and £30,800 at University of Nottingham: University of Essex is about £6,920 a year cheaper. These are medians of the international tuition fees each university publishes for its courses; the fee for a specific course is on its course page.

What subjects can you study at both University of Essex and University of Nottingham?

Both universities teach 63 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, History, Philosophy, Computer Science, Economics, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, History of Art & Design, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Law, Sociology & Criminology, Finance & Actuarial Science, Mathematics and 51 more.

Is University of Essex or University of Nottingham better for Politics & International Relations?

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £25,000 three years after graduating from University of Essex, and £29,500 from University of Nottingham. Student satisfaction with teaching is 86% at University of Essex and 88% at University of Nottingham. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does University of Essex or University of Nottingham offer more courses?

University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and University of Nottingham lists 580 courses.

What can you study at University of Essex but not at University of Nottingham?

University of Essex teaches 11 subject areas that University of Nottingham does not, including Drama & Theatre, Journalism, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Applied Biology & Human Biology, Performing Arts (General), Anthropology, Creative Arts (General) and 3 more.

What can you study at University of Nottingham but not at University of Essex?

University of Nottingham teaches 35 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including Chemical Engineering, Physics, Architecture, Mechanical Engineering, Clinical Specialities, Public Health & Epidemiology, Chemistry, Archaeology and 27 more.

Ready to explore courses?

Browse available courses, check entry requirements, and find scholarships at each university.

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University of Essex748 courses · 30 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Nottingham580 courses · 5 scholarshipsBrowse Courses